Canon has today announced its new flagship A-series PowerShot, the 5 megapixel A95, which replaces the 4 megapixel A80 announced this time last year. The A95 has a larger 1.8-inch vari-angle LCD, improved continuous shooting capability (17-shot burst mode) and VGA movie mode. It is as feature-rich as its predecessor with FlexiZone AF/AE, 21 shooting modes including fully manual modes. PictBridge compliancy allows direct printing to any compatible printer, a hefty four AAs are needed to power the camera and images are stored on to CompactFlash. Price around $400.

Press Release:

Canon launches new flagship A-series PowerShot

PowerShot A95 – the new A-series flagship. Replacing the highly regarded PowerShot A80, the A95 builds on the success of its predecessor and features an increased sensor size of 5.0 Megapixels, and the addition of FlexiZone AF/AE, a larger 1.8” vari-angle LCD and VGA movie mode. Now including 8 special scene presets, the A95 has a total of 21 shooting modes – more than any other Canon digital camera.

The A95 includes many features found in Canon’s higher end S and G series cameras, offering users flexibility and creative control. It incorporates Canon’s advanced DIGIC and iSAPS technologies and 9-point AiAF for outstanding image quality and ease of use, as well as a 3x optical zoom with f/2.8 aperture. A complete range of accessories, including wide and tele-converters and waterproof case, enables photographic exploration. The camera also features a Print/Share button, PictBridge printing as well as ID photo and movie print.

"Canon’s new flagship A-series PowerShot offers outstanding value for money," said Mogens Jensen, Head of Canon Consumer Imaging Europe. "It combines simple operation and affordable pricing with high level performance and image quality – even sharing some of the same features as the PowerShot Pro1, making it a remarkable camera."

More pixels, more options

The 5.0 Megapixel CCD sensor enables the A95 to provide superb image quality, suitable for high quality photo prints up to A3 size. The 21 shooting modes, ranging from fully Auto to Manual, offer users total control for complete creativity, or can simplify things to ensure great looking photos in tricky situations. Along with all the fully manual, Program and Aperture/Shutter speed priority modes expected in an advanced digital camera, the A95 includes a custom mode for storing preferred camera settings. A special scene mode includes 8 settings for Foliage, Snow, Beach, Fireworks, Underwater, Kids & Pets and Night Snapshot. Movie clips up to 3 minutes are also possible with sound recording, playback and even editing all in the camera. VGA quality movies can now be recorded.

The new larger 1.8” vari-angle LCD covers 360 degrees of rotation, giving users the option to shoot from most positions.

High-level optics and performance

The high quality, f/2.8 Canon lens has a precision 3x optical zoom 38mm-114mm (35mm equivalent) to give users the flexibility to compose the shot they want. The purpose built DIGIC processor integrates all image processing algorithms onto a single chip to deliver fast write times, minimal shutter lag, optimal image definition and consistently precise and natural colour reproduction. iSAPS, an in-built photographer's assistant, analyses composition factors such as zoom position and luminosity in order to predict the type of photo being taken. This results in faster auto-focusing, more accurate auto-exposure and precise auto white balance.

9-point AiAF provides fast, accurate focusing even when subjects are not centred. An Intelligent Orientation Sensor allows the AF frame to be weighted differently for horizontal and vertical shooting, further increasing the accuracy of exposure and auto white balance, and saving time when reviewing photos. For the first time in an A-series camera, FlexiZone AF/AE has been introduced. This feature, which can be found in the PowerShot Pro series, allows scrolling aroundthe frame's Auto Focus areas to select the desired subject, for which exposure is weighted accordingly.

Accessories

A complete range of accessories is available to extend the capabilities of the camera and enable users to explore their photographic skills. A dedicated waterproof case – submersible to 40m – is available (optional), complete with anti-fog double glass and flash light diffusion plate. Both the optional wide converter lens (0.7x) and tele-converter lens (1.75x) increase framing options and extend the camera’s effective focal length range. An optional close-up lens is also available for macro photography.

Advanced Printing

The camera features Canon's Print/Share button, which illuminates when a successful connection is made between the camera's USB port and a PictBridge compatible printer or Windows PC. Pushing the button when lit will initiate a print of the currently displayed image (based on the default PictBridge or Direct Printer settings of the printer) or an automatic transfer of images to the PC. When connected to a Canon compact photo printer, the camera/printer combination allows for 'movie-prints' (sequential frames of a movie clip printed as thumbnails on a single card) and photo IDs (passport style ID photographs).

Online sharing

Free membership is included to Canon's online CANON iMAGE GATEWAY, with 100 Megabytes of free storage space for online album storing and sharing. Users can upload favourite images and now movies to the site and then direct friends and family to individually secure online 'albums'.

Extensive software

Software supplied includes browsing and printing software ZoomBrowser EX (Windows) and ImageBrowser (Mac). Other software includes PhotoStitch, plus photo and movie manipulation software ArcSoft PhotoImpression and VideoImpression.

Canon PowerShot A95 specifications